Maria Savva's Blog, page 55
September 15, 2011
My New Book Trailer for The Dream
My new and improved book trailer for The Dream is currently being featured on World Versus Me's YouTube Channel!
World Versus Me on YouTube
The backing track for the trailer is 'Mansions of Thought' by World Versus Me. This is the tune I originally wanted to use for the trailer, but initially had to use a different one due to licensing problems. I think it fits the mood of my book well, and goes well with the photographs. Hope you like it!
Check out some of World Versus Me's other tunes while you're at the YouTube Channel! Find out more about their music at their official website:
World Versus Me
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World Versus Me on YouTube
The backing track for the trailer is 'Mansions of Thought' by World Versus Me. This is the tune I originally wanted to use for the trailer, but initially had to use a different one due to licensing problems. I think it fits the mood of my book well, and goes well with the photographs. Hope you like it!
Check out some of World Versus Me's other tunes while you're at the YouTube Channel! Find out more about their music at their official website:
World Versus Me
[image error]
September 4, 2011
BestsellerBound is 1 year old!
Last year, Darcia Helle, Stacy Juba, and I, launched the message board BestsellerBound
In one year we gave accomplished so much that looking back on it, it's quite astounding. Here are just a few of our joint projects/successes that show what an awesome place it is:
1. Towards the end of last year we launched the BsB Cutting Edge campaign to try to get Darcia Helle's book The Cutting Edge to #1 in the Amazon kindle charts. We managed to get the book into the top 100, and were invited to The Indie Book Collective (IBC) to take part in a radio show talking about the campaign. Our original campaign inspired IBC to run their own series of campaigns to get indie authors into the top 100. I have noticed other websites doing a similar thing. BestsellerBound was the first website to do this; it's great to know that others are following our lead.
2. At the end of last year, Jason McIntyre and I wrote the online novella, Cutting The Fat, which started off as an online exercise in writing a novel together as a team and ended up as a successful book, now available on kindle.
3. One of our top members, Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick, put together the BsB Annual Sample Anthologies, including chapters from members' novels, and short stories. It's free to download and is very popular across the globe, this helps to spread the word about our members' books to all corners of the world
Here's a link to a Youtube video, made by one of our multi-talented members Magnolia Belle, introducing the anthologies:
You Tube trailer
4. We have published two short story anthologies containing top quality fiction in all genres from our members. Both volumes are available to download free at Amazon on kindle. Both are very popular having entered the top 100 downloads!
Bestseller Bound Anthology
BestsellerBound Short Story Anthology Volume 2
5. We were a top 10 finisher in the Preditors and Editors poll 2010 for best writers' discussion forum! (We came 4th! Not bad for a forum that had only been running for 2-3 months at that time!)
BestsellerBound continues to grow, with more members joining each month. We really do seem to attract the cream of the crop of indie authors.
We have also attracted quite a few readers of independent books, and they are valued members. We would love it if more readers would join, as our original intention was to create a forum where indie writers could chat to their readers. We're a bit top-heavy with authors at the moment. This is not necessarily a bad thing as most authors also love reading. But if you're just a reader and not a writer and wondered whether you could join, please do! We would love to welcome you.
As we are now celebrating our 1st Anniversary, we decided it would be nice to have a blog hop where we give away some prizes donated by our members. Here is a list of what you could win:
1. 1 coupon code for a free ebook copy of The Dream, my latest novel, from Smashwords.
2. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of any one title by Darcia Helle.
3. The Choice by Sydney S. Song from Smashwords giving free e-book coupon.
4. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of Echo Falls by Jaime McDougall.
5. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of any one title by Gareth Lewis.
6. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of The Other Room by James Everington
7. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of any one title by Susan Helene Gottfried
8. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of Nexus Point by Jaleta Clegg
9. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for a free eBook copy of "2010 Hindsight: A Year of Personal Growth, In Spite of Myself," by Sharon E. Cathcart
10. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for a free eBook copy of "Caraliza" and also "Breathing into Stone" by Joel Kirkpatrick
11. 1 free hardbound, signed copy of Joel's secret 5th novel, shipped the week it is released.
12. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for a free eBook copy of 'Sink or Swim' by Stacy Juba.
Over the next few days, there will be more promotional blog posts about this competition. I'll try to keep you updated here.
If you want the chance to enter to win a prize, please leave a comment here or in one of the other blog posts relating to the competition. At the end of the blog hop, all the entries will be counted and put into a hat.
The Rules:
1. These are adult books. Please know that by entering this contest, you are agreeing that you are 16 years old or older.
2. You can enter more than once if you leave a comment on each blog hop post!
3. Deadline for entries is September 17th at midnight!
4. Winners will be picked at random on the 17th and announced at the participating blogs. Good luck!
September 3, 2011
Enter to win a signed copy of Pieces of a Rainbow!
My short story collection,Pieces of a Rainbow, is one of 3 books in this month's Novelrank giveaway. This will be the last ever book giveaway by Novelrank, so don't miss your chance to get involved.
The other two books in the draw are:
Trust No One by Teresa Cooper
and The Ball's in Her Court by Heather Justesen.
Click the following link to enter:
Novelrank Giveaway
Good luck!
The other two books in the draw are:
Trust No One by Teresa Cooper
and The Ball's in Her Court by Heather Justesen.
Click the following link to enter:
Novelrank Giveaway
Good luck!
The BestsellerBound Short Story Anthologies are both FREE on kindle :)
The BestsellerBound Anthologies, Volumes 1 & 2 are now both FREE on Amazon Kindle!
Get your copies by clicking the links below:
Volume 1 on Amazon US
Volume 2 on Amazon US
Volume 1 on Amazon UK
Volume 2 is still priced at 86p on Amazon UK, but we are hopeful it will be available free in the near future. UK readers can download a free kindle version from Smashwords.com
Here are the list of contents:
Volume 1:
Wish Upon A Star by Lainey Bancroft
Tears For Hesh by J. Michael Radcliffe
You Can Call Me Ari by Darcia Helle
Flames by Maria Savva
Minor Details by Jaleta Clegg
Ice Cream Man by Neil Schiller
No Eyes But Mine Shall See by Sharon E. Cathcart
The First Texas Twister by Magnolia Belle
Shadow Lantern by Gareth Lewis
Stained by Amy Saunders
Volume 2:
1. What Was Lost by James Sophi
2. The Art of Breathing by Jaime McDougall
3. Soul Windows by Jaleta Clegg
4. I Didn't Know His Name by Darcia Helle
5. Red Route by James Everington
6. Make A Wish by Susan Helene Gottfried
7. The Last Chance Motel and Mausoleum by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
8. Isolation by Maria Savva
9. Beyond The Green Hills by Tom Gahan
10. From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return by Ami Blackwelder
Get your copies by clicking the links below:
Volume 1 on Amazon US
Volume 2 on Amazon US
Volume 1 on Amazon UK
Volume 2 is still priced at 86p on Amazon UK, but we are hopeful it will be available free in the near future. UK readers can download a free kindle version from Smashwords.com
Here are the list of contents:
Volume 1:
Wish Upon A Star by Lainey Bancroft
Tears For Hesh by J. Michael Radcliffe
You Can Call Me Ari by Darcia Helle
Flames by Maria Savva
Minor Details by Jaleta Clegg
Ice Cream Man by Neil Schiller
No Eyes But Mine Shall See by Sharon E. Cathcart
The First Texas Twister by Magnolia Belle
Shadow Lantern by Gareth Lewis
Stained by Amy Saunders
Volume 2:
1. What Was Lost by James Sophi
2. The Art of Breathing by Jaime McDougall
3. Soul Windows by Jaleta Clegg
4. I Didn't Know His Name by Darcia Helle
5. Red Route by James Everington
6. Make A Wish by Susan Helene Gottfried
7. The Last Chance Motel and Mausoleum by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
8. Isolation by Maria Savva
9. Beyond The Green Hills by Tom Gahan
10. From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return by Ami Blackwelder
September 1, 2011
How to make an indie author smile :)
Hi, this is a silly blog post but I'm in a silly mood, so please bear with me.
If you are buying any Kindle ebooks by self-published authors from Amazon, please make sure you buy them on the 1st of the month.
I shall explain the reasons below:
1. As independent/self-published authors we often get obsessed with checking our sales figures
2. Sometimes we actually sell a couple of books and this makes us even more obsessed with our sales figures
3. For the obsessed-with-sales-figures type of authors it is horribly disturbing to check our Amazon Kindle accounts on the first day of a new month because Amazon wipes clean the figures from the month before and places a plain beige bar across the account stating 'There are no sales to report'
4. On reading the words in the beige bar, indie authors are likely to feel upset, disillusioned, and rejected. Often (and I can only speak for myself here) we begin to believe that we will never be able to get rid of the dreaded beige bar and will always have to stare at that 'no sales to report' because we worry that we will never sell another book.
For the sake of the future sanity of your favourite indie writers, please try to purchase their Kindle books on the 1st day of the month.
When we see that there are sales to report -- even 1 sale -- we smile. I promise you, this is the easiest way to make an independent author smile.
Told you it was a silly post. But even though it's silly, it contains an element of truth in it.
If you are buying any Kindle ebooks by self-published authors from Amazon, please make sure you buy them on the 1st of the month.
I shall explain the reasons below:
1. As independent/self-published authors we often get obsessed with checking our sales figures
2. Sometimes we actually sell a couple of books and this makes us even more obsessed with our sales figures
3. For the obsessed-with-sales-figures type of authors it is horribly disturbing to check our Amazon Kindle accounts on the first day of a new month because Amazon wipes clean the figures from the month before and places a plain beige bar across the account stating 'There are no sales to report'
4. On reading the words in the beige bar, indie authors are likely to feel upset, disillusioned, and rejected. Often (and I can only speak for myself here) we begin to believe that we will never be able to get rid of the dreaded beige bar and will always have to stare at that 'no sales to report' because we worry that we will never sell another book.
For the sake of the future sanity of your favourite indie writers, please try to purchase their Kindle books on the 1st day of the month.
When we see that there are sales to report -- even 1 sale -- we smile. I promise you, this is the easiest way to make an independent author smile.
Told you it was a silly post. But even though it's silly, it contains an element of truth in it.
August 30, 2011
Book trailers
I have a lot of fun making trailers for my books. I've posted mine here on Goodreads, so you can have a look if you like :)
When I first heard about people making trailers for books, I thought it would never catch on, after all a book is not a movie, a book trailer can never really give you a glimpse of what is inside the book, or can it??
I have found that recently some authors have been very inventive with their book trailers, so I thought I would point out a few that have caught my eye over the past year or so.
I really do believe now that book trailers can help with promoting books. They can entertain and inform about the book content.
I haven't read all of the books that the below trailers are advertising but those that I haven't read are on my to-read list!
(I haven't figured out a way to embed the videos into my blog, so I've just added links to the YouTube pages here. Click on the titles to watch the trailer.)
Oblivious by Neil Schiller
I like this trailer because it is a bit different to the usual trailers out there. It doesn't have background music, and includes a few quotes from a few short stories in the collection.
Caraliza by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
This video really caught my eye and makes me want to read the book. It's very creepy and I love the sound effects and the way the author has set the scene for the story with the trailer.
Into The Light by Darcia Helle
I like this trailer because it's fun and reflects the humour in the book, while also giving the reader an idea as to the story line.
Musical Chairs by Jen Knox
This was one of the first book trailers I saw and I like this one because the author is actually reading the start of the book, and as it is a memoir it's nice that she appears in the trailer. This really made me want to read the book.
33 Days by Bill See
The author Bill See gives a tour of the LA music scene. The book 33 Days is a memoir about a touring band in the '80s and this video really does a great job in introducing the book to potential readers.
Breathing Into Stone by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
I like this trailer as it is original and really reminded me of the book.
I hope you'll enjoy looking at the trailers that I've picked out.
I'd be interested to hear from authors and readers about your thoughts on book trailers in general.
Do they make you want to read a book? Do you have any favourite book trailers?
When I first heard about people making trailers for books, I thought it would never catch on, after all a book is not a movie, a book trailer can never really give you a glimpse of what is inside the book, or can it??
I have found that recently some authors have been very inventive with their book trailers, so I thought I would point out a few that have caught my eye over the past year or so.
I really do believe now that book trailers can help with promoting books. They can entertain and inform about the book content.
I haven't read all of the books that the below trailers are advertising but those that I haven't read are on my to-read list!
(I haven't figured out a way to embed the videos into my blog, so I've just added links to the YouTube pages here. Click on the titles to watch the trailer.)
Oblivious by Neil Schiller
I like this trailer because it is a bit different to the usual trailers out there. It doesn't have background music, and includes a few quotes from a few short stories in the collection.
Caraliza by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
This video really caught my eye and makes me want to read the book. It's very creepy and I love the sound effects and the way the author has set the scene for the story with the trailer.
Into The Light by Darcia Helle
I like this trailer because it's fun and reflects the humour in the book, while also giving the reader an idea as to the story line.
Musical Chairs by Jen Knox
This was one of the first book trailers I saw and I like this one because the author is actually reading the start of the book, and as it is a memoir it's nice that she appears in the trailer. This really made me want to read the book.
33 Days by Bill See
The author Bill See gives a tour of the LA music scene. The book 33 Days is a memoir about a touring band in the '80s and this video really does a great job in introducing the book to potential readers.
Breathing Into Stone by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
I like this trailer as it is original and really reminded me of the book.
I hope you'll enjoy looking at the trailers that I've picked out.
I'd be interested to hear from authors and readers about your thoughts on book trailers in general.
Do they make you want to read a book? Do you have any favourite book trailers?
August 24, 2011
I was recently interviewed by a fictional character :)
My latest interview can be found by clicking on the following link:
Molly Hacker's blog
I'm also giving away one paperback copy of my latest novel,The Dream(It's an international competition). Leave a comment on Molly's blog to enter!
Molly Hacker is a fictional character created by the author Lisette Brodey. Lisette has appeared on my blog in the past talking about her books. I am a fan of hers. If you haven't read her book Crooked Moon, you must go and buy it now! It's excellent.
Lisette's novel, 'Molly Hacker Is Too Picky!' is due to be released later this year.
Molly Hacker's blog
I'm also giving away one paperback copy of my latest novel,The Dream(It's an international competition). Leave a comment on Molly's blog to enter!
Molly Hacker is a fictional character created by the author Lisette Brodey. Lisette has appeared on my blog in the past talking about her books. I am a fan of hers. If you haven't read her book Crooked Moon, you must go and buy it now! It's excellent.
Lisette's novel, 'Molly Hacker Is Too Picky!' is due to be released later this year.
August 22, 2011
Looking for good books to read?
I've just finished reading an advance copy of 'The Shelter', a short story by James Everington, and it made me realise that I know so many talented writers through connecting on Goodreads, Twitter, BestsellerBound.com etc., but most if not all of them are still unknown to the book buying public.
James Everington is one of those writers who makes me want to keep reading... he keeps the story flowing and moving, making the reader curious to find out what happens next.
I would encourage you to check out his short story collection, The Other Room, and make sure you grab a copy of his creepy story 'The Shelter' as soon as it's published!
Some other notable independent authors that you mustn't miss, are:
Darcia Helle
Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
Ami Blackwelder
Neil Schiller
Jen Knox
Julie Elizabeth Powell
Quentin R. Bufogle
Stacy Juba
Jason McIntyre
Lisette Brodey
Andrew Blackman
Bill See
Tom Gahan
Mark McKenna
This is by no means an exhaustive list, I'm sure I've missed out some of my favourites.
I would encourage you to try reading some of the above authors' books... you won't be disappointed.
James Everington is one of those writers who makes me want to keep reading... he keeps the story flowing and moving, making the reader curious to find out what happens next.
I would encourage you to check out his short story collection, The Other Room, and make sure you grab a copy of his creepy story 'The Shelter' as soon as it's published!
Some other notable independent authors that you mustn't miss, are:
Darcia Helle
Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
Ami Blackwelder
Neil Schiller
Jen Knox
Julie Elizabeth Powell
Quentin R. Bufogle
Stacy Juba
Jason McIntyre
Lisette Brodey
Andrew Blackman
Bill See
Tom Gahan
Mark McKenna
This is by no means an exhaustive list, I'm sure I've missed out some of my favourites.
I would encourage you to try reading some of the above authors' books... you won't be disappointed.
August 16, 2011
Fusion
My short story collection, Fusion is now available as an ebook on Barnes and Noble, for those of you that like Nook books :)
Click here to purchase the Nook version of 'Fusion':
Fusion at B&N
Here is a list of the story titles:
1. Only time can divide us (you can read an excerpt from this story here:Excerpt on Goodreads)
2. Untold Crimes
3. There but for the grace of God
4. The last time he saw her
5. A vicious circle
6. Me and my dictionary (read a fun introduction to the main character in this story, here: Meet Giles)
7. Waiting on a Train
8. Justice for Ernie
9. Cold calling
10. Make hay while the sun shines
11. The legacy
12. Hope springs eternal
13. The reunion
14. Something new
15. Obsession
16. Visions
17. A Virtual Affair
18. Till death do us part
19. Seize the Day
20. One woman’s stand
21. The Time Machine
22. The Valentine’s card (Read the whole story on Bookbuzzr, here: The Valentine's Card)
And, in case you missed it, I did post a blog a while back about the inspiration behind some of the stories in the collection. Click here to read it: Inspiration behind Fusion
The ebook version of 'Fusion', whether you buy it on B&N, Amazon, or Smashwords, also contains bonus material by a few of my favourite indie authors:
A short story 'Soft Like Snow' by Jen Knox, from her collection, To Begin Again
An excerpt from the story, 'Inside Out', by Neil Schiller, from his collection, Oblivious
A short story by Darcia Helle, called 'Wilted Brown Eyes'
'Smoke Break' by Susan Helene Gottfried, from ShapeShifter : The Demo Tapes -- Year 1
An excerpt from, 'East meets West', by Jason McIntyre, from his soon to be released short story collection, 'Black Light of Day'.
The idea behind including this bonus material is that you can get a taste of other indie writers' work and maybe go on to purchase one of their books. I would highly recommend all of the above
writers.
Remember, 'Fusion', along with some of my other kindle books, is available for just $0.99/£0.86 at Amazon until the end of this month!
Click here to purchase the Nook version of 'Fusion':
Fusion at B&N
Here is a list of the story titles:
1. Only time can divide us (you can read an excerpt from this story here:Excerpt on Goodreads)
2. Untold Crimes
3. There but for the grace of God
4. The last time he saw her
5. A vicious circle
6. Me and my dictionary (read a fun introduction to the main character in this story, here: Meet Giles)
7. Waiting on a Train
8. Justice for Ernie
9. Cold calling
10. Make hay while the sun shines
11. The legacy
12. Hope springs eternal
13. The reunion
14. Something new
15. Obsession
16. Visions
17. A Virtual Affair
18. Till death do us part
19. Seize the Day
20. One woman’s stand
21. The Time Machine
22. The Valentine’s card (Read the whole story on Bookbuzzr, here: The Valentine's Card)
And, in case you missed it, I did post a blog a while back about the inspiration behind some of the stories in the collection. Click here to read it: Inspiration behind Fusion
The ebook version of 'Fusion', whether you buy it on B&N, Amazon, or Smashwords, also contains bonus material by a few of my favourite indie authors:
A short story 'Soft Like Snow' by Jen Knox, from her collection, To Begin Again
An excerpt from the story, 'Inside Out', by Neil Schiller, from his collection, Oblivious
A short story by Darcia Helle, called 'Wilted Brown Eyes'
'Smoke Break' by Susan Helene Gottfried, from ShapeShifter : The Demo Tapes -- Year 1
An excerpt from, 'East meets West', by Jason McIntyre, from his soon to be released short story collection, 'Black Light of Day'.
The idea behind including this bonus material is that you can get a taste of other indie writers' work and maybe go on to purchase one of their books. I would highly recommend all of the above
writers.
Remember, 'Fusion', along with some of my other kindle books, is available for just $0.99/£0.86 at Amazon until the end of this month!
